We Own The Night

Directed and written by James Gray, We Own The Night, is a high stakes police drama full of intense moments, betrayal, car chases, broken families and self reclamation. The stellar performances and strong story bring these elements together in a good film; however, this story drags in over indulgent mood shots and could easily be edited to make it tighter.

We Own The Night is Bobby Green’s story.  Bobby, played by Joaquin Phoenix, is the prodigal who left the family tradition of police work behind for a life of parties and fun working in clubs.  Though he does not follow family tradition, he exemplifies the hard work of his Deputy Police Chief father (Robert Duvall) and newly promoted Captain of a brother (Mark Whalberg), as he manages and is truly king of the high class bar where he works.  Typical of the prodigal son, he does everything he can to disassociate himself from his roots; his friends don’t know his family, he changed his last name and the Russian family who owns the bar are more family to him than his own.  Unknown to Bobby, his adopted family is the focus of the biggest police investigation going. When his two worlds collide Bobby must choose between the man he is or the man he can be.

James Gray does a wonderful job establishing the environment for his story. At the top of the film we see the festive mood surrounding our characters; Bobby parties with his friends, his night club is packed and energized, and Joe, his brother, is at the reception for his promotion. Gray also shows us that this world is troubled by violence and loss; Bobby must leave his friends for work, fights occur at the bar, and a moment of silence is held for recently fallen officers during the reception.  This all occurs in the first ten minutes, setting the stage for a great story, but it labors on from there.  As the film progresses Gray becomes overindulgent with these establishing shots.  Wide shots slowly zooming to the hotel, crane shots showing the vast field that must be searched, long shots walking down the hallway with our characters and so on.  By the middle of the film, these establishing elements become tired and almost painful.  Holding these shots for thirty-seconds rather than minutes would give the same effect and pick up the pace of this film; and given its heavy nature, picking up the pace would make a more engaging and powerful film.

Regardless of the above, watching Bobby go through personal trials and sacrifices to find himself is an intense journey worth watching.  Joaquin Phoenix is nothing short of brilliant in this role.  He creates a light hearted and care free character through his interaction with friends and contrasts that with familial conflict through fights with his brother and verbal jousts with his father.  However, when he gets the phone call turning his life around, Phoenix’s character changes becoming driven and determined but unsure and afraid of the action he must take. Through a change in vocal quality and a shift in physical action Phoenix beautifully demonstrates this transformation.  It is the subtle choices, like ever so slightly turning away from the man he clearly wants to hurt but cannot, that truly ignites the turmoil which exists in the character’s soul.  The remaining cast strongly supports this powerful performance.  Mark Whalberg, is well cast playing the work driven brother, who greatly resents his brother’s lifestyle.  He is quick tempered and harsh but Whalberg also demonstrates his ability to be soft and forgiving when it is necessary.  Robert Duvall, playing the father, rounds out this family.  His acting demonstrates where his son’s determinations and drives come from.  Duvall with his stern voice, heavy looks and contrasting moments of softness gives us a clear picture of this family which goes through so much during the film. 

This is a powerfully written story which takes us on a journey of self reclamation.  It is traditional as we watch one man fall from a great height and rise again newly reformed and better for his journey.  If you can accept the drawn out establishing shots that slow this movie down it is worth watching for its story and its performances.